Why do people ask for specific legal advice here?

Question

Lawyers don't give advice here because they'd be subject to discipline for ethics violations. Nonlawyers don't have the necessary expertise or legal right to give legal advice (frankly, they're opening themselves up to criminal charges.)

I still see people asking for legal advice on specific situations. If you're one of those people, do you rely on that advice in any way?

Answer 1

I am not an attorney, but, I do own a legal referral service. The information that I give is not binding legal advice, so, I am not subject to criminal charges, not to mention its unsolicited information. When I do give advice out, its based on cases that I was involved with personally. Its not written in stone that is to happen. The majority of the answers I give are based on texas law, so its only general information. I can give better information the more detailed people are.

Answer 2

Lawyers are EXPENSIVE and laypeople may have already gone through.

From your question, I gather you're a lawyer.

BTW: You have no expectation of advice from a lawyer on here.

Answer 3

I am not a lawyer although I am a paralegal.  I think the reason is twofold: one-legal advice is extremely costly and second-the comfort level on Yahoo is genuine.  I had questions about specific situations, and Yahoo allows for information to be exchanged in a friendly, sincere, and honest manner without malice.  

Answer 4

The same reason they ask for specific medical advice...ignorance.

Answer 5

What people ask for here, is because they do not understand why the advice is not "legal advice".  

I am not a lawyer. I have experience in some issues, and if a person asks where such and such a law is, I can offer them a website. I can explain what happened to me in a certain situation, and I can explain how I arrived at certain (amateur) perspectives.  Discussion of legal issues is not the same as me practicing law, nor do I expect it to be.  No.. I am NOT opening myself to criminal charges. Without being a lawyer, I do understand the difference.

The fact that yahoo has an area for information on legal topics does not imply that there is a line of free lawyers here, waiting to take someone's case.  Anyone in a legal situation is always going to benefit, if they at least try to educate themselves.

So, I do think any lawyer here understands their ethical boundaries.. and non lawyers, also know their own limitations. The few who misunderstand the purpose here, are actually very few.  

Answer 6

it thinks its more of an opinion then advice,and of course opinions are not binding.

Answer 7

well lets just say this: how would you know if the lawyer is opening themselves up or anyone else because everyone is not using their government name and most pictures are of cartoons.  

Answer 8

Nope I don't.. I take things with a grain of salt, what else can one do..

and you must be reading them if your asking the qestion..lol